Should Some People Not Vote?

Posted by: Dwayne Hastings on October 15, 2008 Hot Issues •

John Stossel, an ABC News reporter known for his work on the network’s 20/20 program, asked the question as he and his camera crew interviewed some newly registered young people at a rock concert: “Should some people not vote?”

While it is an intriguing question, the answer is certainly “no.” While many Americans cast their ballots in ignorance each Election Day, that doesn’t mean any voter should be disqualified because of their lack of understanding of the issues or the candidates themselves. In fact, who among us have not come to a choice on the ballot, particularly in the area of the retention of judges, and voted “yes” or “no” without forethought?

There have been times in our nation’s history when some citizens were denied their right to vote because of their inability to pay a poll tax, a lack of academic education, or their race or sex. Fortunately those times are behind us.

That said, it is our obligation to fully educate ourselves on the issues and the candidates before we vote. For those of us who claim to be Christ-followers, we need to insure that we consider the Bible’s perspective on the issues of the day as we ponder the candidates’ positions on those issues.

To help Americans in getting grasp on the candidates representing the two major U.S. political parties, we developed a useful resource that lines up excerpts from the platforms of the Democrat and Republican party. The Party Platform Comparison Guide, available for download at no charge and in a print edition (limited copies available for sale), contains no analysis or commentary. It is composed of direct quotes (without campaign rhetoric) from the two group’s position statements.

The question is not “Should some people not vote?”; but instead, “Why would anyone vote without knowing what the candidates believe on the issues?”

Next entry: Relevant Magazine: “Right Wing, Wrong Bird” Previous entry: The Lesser-Known Vote

Comments

“In fact, who among us have not come to a choice on the ballot, particularly in the area of the retention of judges, and voted “yes” or “no” without forethought?”

Um, those of us who actual have the intellect to educate ourselves BEFORE the election. I guess if you hang around with Republicans most of the time I can see why you’re used to people being ignorant.

Posted by on October 17, 2008.